Fwd: 1st Annual Massachusetts Trails Conference - Agenda and Registration Information!
Tom Connors
From: Jahnige, Paul (DCR) <paul.j...@state.ma.us>
Date: Fri, Oct 14, 2011 at 8:59 AM
Subject: 1st Annual Massachusetts Trails Conference - Agenda and Registration Information!
1st Annual Massachusetts Trails Conference
“Building Connections”
November 12, 2011
Doyle Center
Leominster, MA
The Massachusetts Recreational Trail Advisory Board (MARTAB) in partnership with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) presents the 1st Annual Massachusetts Trails Conference to be held on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at the Doyle Center in Leominster. The conference is funded through the Recreational Trails Program, a federal grant program which offers funding for trails and trail-related facilities to communities across the state and among all recreational trail user groups.
The goal of this one-day conference is to build a statewide-based coalition of trail advocates in Massachusetts by focusing on strengthening capacity and community across the spectrum of trails enthusiasts and supporters. Concurrent sessions in the morning focus on building capacity through education and discussion of issues like funding, permitting and economic impacts. The afternoon’s more participatory workshops will focus on strengthening community, as we celebrate, share and plan for the future of trails in Massachusetts.
This conference aims to offer the following:
1. A forum to address the evolving needs of the Massachusetts trails community
2. Opportunities to network with other trail advocates to build support for local and statewide trail systems
3. Educational/informative sessions specific to various trail user groups or volunteers
4. Collaborative planning on a statewide level to offer input for future trails initiatives and programs.
Trail planners, advocates, land managers, members of trail organizations, land trusts, conservation commissions, friends groups and volunteers are all encouraged to participate. Please keep in mind that the format for this conference is to foster a collaborative, participatory environment for furthering the goals of the entire trails community, both motorized and non-motorized recreational trail users. Please plan on coming to this conference with your ideas to share and questions to ask, and hopefully you will leave with much more!
This Massachusetts Trails Conference will launch an annual series of MARTAB-sponsored trails conferences designed to strengthen the trails community and provide increased opportunities for education and the sharing of ideas and experiences. Through improved communication, cooperation, and partnerships, MARTAB aims to complete the visioning and implementation process for creating a trail network in Massachusetts which will benefit all recreational user groups and preferences.
Conference Registration – NOW!
There is no fee to register for this conference, although a $10, or more, donation to your local trail group is encouraged in lieu of the registration fee. Participants must register in advance to attend. Registration will be limited, so please register now if you would like to attend.
Registration Deadline: Friday, November 4, 2011
Contact: Amanda Lewis, Recreational Trails Program Coordinator (DCR)
413-586-8706 ext. 19
What to do: Please call or email Amanda Lewis to register. Indicate your full name, affiliation (or specific trail interests), address, phone number and email address. If you are no longer able to attend the workshop but have already registered, please contact Amanda as soon as possible, as potential participants may be waiting for openings. If the registration limit of 100 people is met, a wait list will be started and you will be informed as soon as possible if any openings become available.
Conference Agenda
The Massachusetts Trails Conference will be held at the Doyle Center from 7:30am to 4pm, with an optional refreshment and meet-and-greet hour from 4-5pm. Morning and afternoon refreshments, as well as lunch will be provided. The conference agenda and session descriptions are provided below:
7:30 Registration
8:30 Welcome and Introductions
Dick O’Brien, MARTAB
8:40 Keynote Address: Economic Benefits of Trails
David Lindahl, Morton Trails, LLC.
9:20 1st Concurrent Workshops/Presentations Slot
See descriptions below
10:40 2nd Concurrent Workshops/Presentation Slot
See descriptions below
12pm LUNCH (provided)
12:45 MARTAB Introductions and Overview
1:00 Checking In: The Massachusetts Statewide Trail Plan and Celebration of Exceptional Trail Success Stories
2:00 Participatory Planning Session in Break-out groups
3:00 Full Group Discussion and Conference Follow-Up
4:00 Refreshment Hour (Optional)
5:00 Conference Ends
Morning Workshops
Workshop participants will have the opportunity to participate in two of the eight concurrent morning workshops offered. Participants will not be required to sign up for the sessions before the conference but will be asked to indicate their preference upon registration in the morning. Descriptions of each session are provided below, though changes may be made before the conference date.
1st Concurrent Workshops/Presentations 9:20 - 10:30 am
Economics and Trails
David Lindahl: Morton Trails
This workshop will focus specifically on a number of issues and methods associated with the economic and financial benefits and impacts of trails, including:
· Understanding and conducting an economic impact analysis that captures all of the quantifiable and unquantifiable impacts of community trail systems;
· Strategies for undertaking surveys associated with trail user expenditures, business revenues, and real estate impacts as a result of trails;
· Planning for events, including planning and designing the trail system or course, financial management, and event management;
· Organizational structures for planning, developing, operating, and maintaining a trail system including public, non-profit, for-profit, and quasi-public entities.
Accessibility Guidelines and DOJ Ruling
Gary Briere: Chief of Recreation, MA DCR
This workshop will focus on current ADA Guidelines and their role related to trails in the state, as well as questions and discussion on the recent Department of Justice (DOJ) ruling regarding “Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices” and requirements related to trails on public lands.
Working with Conservation Commissions and the Wetland Protection Act
Mark Stinson: Wetlands Circuit Rider, MA Department of Environmental Protection
Sarah LaValley: Planner, City of Northampton & Conservation Commission
This session will discuss the Wetland Protection Act and how trails advocates can most efficiently and cost-effectively navigate through the regulations and requirements. Participants will leave the session with a solid sense of when they need to file, how to have a good relationship with the town Conservation Commissions, and how to avoid negative impacts on wetlands and complications in the filing process.
Funding Opportunities for Trails
Dick O’Brien: Winding Trail Designs, MARTAB
This workshop will discuss the various opportunities for funding for trails that currently exist and are available in Massachusetts. In addition, the group will discuss the future of these funds as well as other possible sources of funding for trails.
2nd Concurrent Workshops/Presentations 10:40 – 11:50 am
Trails and Resource Protection
Ale Echandi: Natural Resource Specialist, MA DCR
This session will focus on the protection of natural and cultural resources when constructing and maintaining trails. The presenters will explain and discuss working with MESA and Natural Heritage as well as working for the preservation of historic/cultural resources and working with MHC.
Developing Trails on State Land and Working with the Massachusetts DCR
Gary Briere: Chief of Recreation, MA DCR
Becky Barnes: Regional Trail Coordinator, MA DCR
Paul Jahnige: Director of Greenways and Trails, MA DCR
This session will discuss DCR policy regarding trail development and volunteer work on state lands. The DCR Volunteer Policy, Trail Proposal and Evaluation Form and DCR’s Trail Guidelines and Best Practices Manual will all be discussed.
Rail Trails: Getting Started, Challenges, and Future Training Opportunities
Dick Williamson: Friends of Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Mass Central Rail Trail Coalition, MARTAB
Robert Weidknecht: Town of Holliston Conservation Commission
Colleen Abrams: Wachusett Greenways
Kate Day: Town of Danvers
This session will allow the shared use path/rail trail community an opportunity to come together and discuss challenges, issues and past success in developing these trails. The MassDOT process and requirements, community-based development, working with Iron Horse Preservation and the acquisition of rail trail corridors will all be discussed. There will also be a discussion about the possibility of a future “Rail Trail Conference” sponsored by MARTAB and funded by RTP.
Trail Corridor Protection Planning for Regional and Multi-Community Trail Systems
Charlie Tracy: National Park Service, New England Trail Administrator
Clare Cain: Connecticut Forest & Park Association, Director of Trail Stewardship
This workshop will discuss strategies for integrating public and private lands into a multi-community trail corridor and the options available for trail protection.
About MARTAB
MARTAB is a unique group, comprised of representatives from each recreational trail user group in Massachusetts. Although their primary role has been to oversee the Recreational Trails Grant Program, with this conference and in the future, they are looking to establish a leadership role as a core coalition which will address broader trail issues facing Massachusetts and the nation as a whole. In this time of economic uncertainty and across-the-board budget cuts, it is imperative that the development of recreational trails does not wane, especially given the benefits that trails can offer to all interests, from recreationists to business owners to populations who simply need and depend on the existence of trails. Promoting advocacy, education and training initiatives, information sharing and trail planning are chief among MARTAB’s goals which will aim to create a truly sustainable, all-encompassing, high-quality trail system across the state.
DCR Greenways